Ronni Lynn (Sun in Capricorn, Moon in Gemini) has been studying and practising astrology for over 30 years. She is interested in the psychological and spiritual effects that planetary influences have on us. Ronni uses astrology as a tool to help others evolve and develop their higher selves.
Each month, with the event of the New Moon, we are given a space to renew ourselves spiritually, take stock of our lives, and recharge our energies. It is a wonderful
opportunity to set goals for the month, writing down our deepest desires and heart-felt wishes. The new moon column that she writes will help readers find inspiration and
guidance.
Ronni is also a graphic artist and a classical singer. Visit her at her own website:Zodiac Art.

On Friday, August 5, 2005 the new moon will be in the sign of Leo, the Lion This will happen at exactly 03:06 GMT. Due to time zone differences it's on August 4, 10:06 pm eastern standard time in the US — and it's a particularly important Lunation for your hard-working editor, as it's exactly conjunct my own natal Moon! When the Moon is exactly conjunct the Sun (sharing its astrological degree), it is no longer visible in the sky and at this point in the lunar cycle it is called a "New Moon". This occurs once every month (in rare instances, twice) and marks the beginning of a new monthly astrological cycle. Ronni's monthly column explores some valuable ways to get the best out of the new lunation.

The New Moon signifies a start of a new personal cycle each month. It's a time to renew or revise our goals, reach for what we wish for most and renew ourselves. When setting goals or aspiring towards our dreams and desires it is important to keep a few things in mind. First of all, our wishes can only involve ourselves. We cannot try to change others, only our attitudes towards those people, in hopes that they will respond favorably to us. Another important aspect of this process is to meditate on the qualities of the sign that the new moon is occurring in. These astrological qualities will give us powerful hints on what to strive for, and how to approach or strategize towards what we want to accomplish.

It is a good idea to set approximately 2-10 goals or wishes each month. The wording of your wishes should resonate within you, giving you a feeling of peace and joy when you read them back to yourself. If not, cross that wish out and try writing it another way, or go onto a different wish. Jan Spiller in New Moon Astrology also suggests that you do not combine several wishes into one wish! Keep your thoughts clear and separate, and write them down each month. I recommend a special notebook or journal exclusively used for this purpose.

Write down your wishes as close to the time of the actual new moon as is possible. You have up to 48 hours to write them, with the first eight hours being the most potent. Wishes should be hand written, not typed into a computer.

Visualize Your Wishes

It is often best not to include a wish unless you can clearly visualize it coming into fruition within your imagination. If not, there may be preliminary steps you need to take first, so instead, try visualizing these. Trust your feelings and intuition in this process- you will know instinctively what feels right. Some wishes become realized soon after the new moon. Others are more resistant and can take many months. Keep repeating wishes each month until they begin coming true as long as you continue to believe that they are right for you. When things in your life such as people, events, and your own attitudes begin to "shift", welcome this new change as evidence that your life is changing as a result of your positive intentions. Each month I will share my reflections on the new moon based on the sign it moves into to help you in your own process. Using the New Moon in such a way is what I call Astrology in action!

The Joyous Moon

On August 4, 2005 the new moon will be in the sign of Leo. This will happen at exactly 10:06 pm eastern standard time (August 5 at 3:06 AM, GMT). Leo is the astrological sign which rules how we express or project our individuality. Through this sign's energies we joyously learn who we are and learn how to express this uniqueness through our creativity and the projections of our personalities. This is no time to stand in the shadows. Leo asks us to let our light shine out into the world. Our light is a unique, original, and wonderful expression of who we are.

Radiating Confidence

Leo loves to take center stage, radiating confidence. It almost doesn't matter if you don't have your act totally figured out. When you get out on the stage of life, the delivery of your own original message is just as important (if not more) than the content. If you believe in yourself with conviction and enthusiasm, this is what the rest of the world relates to. Others will relate to you on a visceral (or "gut") level. They will get swept up through their emotions into your joy and enthusiasm. The new moon in Cancer sets the foundation of self-love inside of us to make Leo's proud presentation possible. In Cancer we learned unconditional self-love. With this emotional foundation Leo is ready to enthusiastically emerge into the world, ready to express itself.

Leo is ruled by the Sun, the "planet" (actually it's a star) which identifies what "sign" we all are. The Sun signifies our sense of self-identity in a very deep way- it's how we relate to ourselves! The area of the Sun-sign in a person's chart is the part of us that feels most stable. If you are having difficulty with the concept of self-identity, which most of us have in varying degrees, it might be a wonderful opportunity this month to start a daily journal. Write down things about yourself, your creations and your reactions to events in your life each day. Make this journal a daily celebration of your unique self. This is a good time to let go of feeling of shame or regret about ourselves and who we truly are.

I would like to share something with you. The other day I was journaling with the intention of figuring out more about my self-identity. I was completely stuck!! Then I decided to instead write down what for me are the ideal qualities in a man or in a woman. This was easy for me. Then I sat back, read the list of qualities (some were abstract, such as "he would be very empathetic", others concrete; "she would be a musician"). When I read what I wrote I realized that I had just tricked myself into describing myself and/or the ideal self I wish to emerge into. I highly recommend this exercise. Perhaps doing it will help you write some goals this month.

Develop More Self Expression

When writing goals this month it might be helpful to focus on areas of your life that you would like to develop more self-expression in. Leo also signifies romance, pleasure, children and creativity. This is the perfect time to bring some romantic partners into your life, who will connect with you spontaneously. In the wonderful website Ask Alana, one of the most profound statements about relationships (or finding a soul-mate) is expressed. What Alana speaks of rings very true for me. She says that if you are true to yourself, and allow yourself free, authentic and beautiful expression in the world, that you will naturally attract the correct partner to yourself. You will easily find a true soul mate, as this person would be able to recognize you. Nothing sums up the spirit of Leo more this for me! Step into your own power and don't be afraid of who you are. When you do this you will attract who (and what situations) are correct for you. If you have ever experienced being with a partner that felt completely fulfilling, than you'll probably realize that this was possible because you were simply being yourself.

Simply be yourself, and lovingly express this self-identity this month. May the beautiful blessings of Leo be yours now, and stay with you always.

The next new moon will be in the sign of Virgo on September 3 at 1:46 pm eastern standard time.

Come visit me then or a day before for more New Moon reflections. –
Ronni

Ronni is also a graphic artist, creating designs that reflect astrological influences in the quest for beauty, harmony and balance. Her web site Zodiac Art features 25 designs for "Artistic Astrological Charts", unique gifts, birth announcements, and greeting card designs for each sign of the zodiac.

In addition she loves all kinds of music and is a classically
trained singer. She gives voice lessons and workshops.